Fools Despise

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Prov 9:10)

We know this verse. It comes up several times in the Bible. The exact same first phrase, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," is in Psalm 111:10. A similar phrase -- "The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom" -- is in Proverbs 15:33. And another similar phrase -- "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" -- is in the introduction to Proverbs (Prov 1:7). The fear of the Lord is critical for knowledge and wisdom.

So it is a little concerning when we see what Scripture says about the fool.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov 1:7)

That's actually quite ominous if you think about it. The fear of the Lord is where knowledge and wisdom -- where all the important instruction -- begins and from which it proceeds. That is, the knowledge, the wisdom, the instruction that the fool despises is the knowledge that proceeds from the fear of the Lord. To expand that, we can simply read Scripture's indictment of natural man -- "There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Rom 3:18)

The fool despises wisdom and instruction. This kind of fool despises wisdom and instruction because he has no fear of God. So what is this "fear of God"? The word "fear" in both Old and New Testament uses can mean actual terror or it can mean more at awe, that feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. You see, there, that "fear" in the word "awe." It's a kind of bipolar pull. On one hand, you want to run; on the other hand you can't take your eyes off it. That's precisely the sense in "the fear of God." He has the capacity to wave us out of existence and that might even be the most just thing He could do, but the one who fears God in this biblical sense is also enraptured by Him -- terrified but captivated.

That, my friends, is a seemingly rare thing. I know lots of people who "love God" by which they mean, "God thinks I'm okay and so we're pals." They see Him as their buddy. God doesn't have any of that stupid wrath the preachers of old used to conjure up (where "preachers of old" include the biblical ones ... including Christ). No, no, He's a nice God and we're all okay. That is not "the fear of God." And this is the person that will despise wisdom and instruction. You can see it plainly. "Don't give me that stuff from the Bible. I don't need that for wisdom or instruction." They don't need divine wisdom. Why? Because they don't fear God. And they're just fine, thank you very much.

We have a natural, sinful tendency to think we've got this. We are prone to believe we're doing fine with God. No need to fear Him. And when we don't have that fear, we don't have the proper respect for actual wisdom or instruction that comes from Him. As such, we end up classified as fools. It's a bad place to be, first because it's foolish and second because it sets us apart from wisdom and into the path of being God's opponent. We think we're pals, but if we have no fear of God, we don't know Him at all. Don't be that person. Check yourself.